Page:The little blue devil (IA littlebluedevil00mackiala).pdf/241

wrote in a friendly strain to his brother Roger, admitted that for some time things had gone rather badly with him but now, married (after all) to a woman with some little property, everything was prosperous enough for a man with simple tastes, and life away from England perfectly endurable. Subsequent letters, arriving at long intervals, mentioned his stepson, who continued to live with him even after the death of his first wife. Of his second marriage he said very little.

Pamela was delighted by the affectionate letter he wrote her, with its urgent invitation to come at once and stay as long as she liked. How nice it would be to live once more with people who really wanted her! Even the icy tone of Aunt Sophia’s letter, which arrived later, could not damp her pleasure. Aunt Sophia gave an extremely grudging consent, provided that a chaperon was found for the journey—Pamela must not take such a long trip alone. This was easily arranged. On their return to New York, a kindly old American lady was discovered who was going to San Francisco, and would gladly take charge of Pamela. Miss Sidmouth, very engrossed with dear “Georgina” and future plans, bade her an affectionate farewell, and even consented to accept half the money paid for her passage, since the child persisted. Finally Pamela, with no regrets, said goodbye to New York, and set forth on her journey. Much of the lonely feeling was smoothed away; light shone in the blue eyes. California, brimming with fruit and flowers, lay before her, and she was going, not to strangers really, for were they not her own people?